- – Park revenue surged to more than P19 million in Q1, up P9 million from last year’s over P10 million
- – Q1 revenue collections exceeded the entire annual target within just the first three months.
- – Visitor volume scaled significantly during this same three-month period
- – Chobe Community Trusts also achieved massive financial growth from tourism activities
- – Chobe Enclave Trust generated P13 million in total revenue collections
- – Pandamatenga Lesoma Kazungula Trust pulled in P9 million in revenue
Chobe National Park has generated a massive increase in revenue collection during the first three months of this year, collecting P19,254,795 in 2026 compared to P10,851,995 received during the same period last year.
According to Chobe National Park Manager, Catherine Nzehengwa, the total number of tourists who visited the park between January and March 2026 also increased, standing at 62,333 compared to 56,784 registered during the same period last year.
Presenting the Chobe District Development Committee (DDC) report during the full council meeting held in Kasane this week, Principal District Officer for Development Nobuhle Mbusi noted that wildlife resource utilisation contributed significantly to local economic development.
She cited that revenue generated from park entry fees dramatically exceeded the annual target of P5,000,000, reaching P19.25 million, which reflects exceptionally strong tourism activity within the district.
Mbusi also revealed that the total number of licences and permits issued during the first quarter of 2026 stands at 196, with revenue collected from them totaling P68,330.00.
According to Mbusi, there are 619 licensed tourism facilities within the Chobe District. She said 23 of these facilities are hotels, 23 guesthouses, 39 bed and breakfasts, 19 campsites, 16 camps, 94 travel agents, 21 lodges, 126 tourist transfer services, 151 mobile safaris, 61 motorboats, 6 category G facilities, five mekoro operators, 21 foreign-based operations, 14 self-catering facilities, and one backpacker lodge. She stated that the total number of rooms in licensed facilities in Chobe stands at 1,672, while the number of beds is 4,370.
With regard to community trusts revenues, Mbusi noted that in the first quarter of 2026, the Chobe Enclave Conservation Trust (CECT) generated P13.74 million through diversified projects and the sale of hunting quotas, employing 44 people, comprising 41 permanent and three temporary workers.
She said the Pandamatenga Lesoma Kazungula Community Trust (PALEKA) generated P9.08 million through the sale of hunting quotas and machinery hire. The Trust employed 26 permanent workers and 37 temporary workers during the quarter.
Mbusi further explained that the Chobe Enclave Conservation Trust (CECT) continued to implement conservation and community development initiatives within the Chobe Enclave villages of Kavimba, Kachikau, Mabele, Parakarungu, and Satau. She indicated that a Special General Meeting (SGM) held on February 21, 2026, at the Kavimba Kgotla resolved that the CH2 hunting quota be disposed of through a public auction.
Consequently, a public auction conducted by Stockman’s Auctioneers on March 20, 2026, awarded the CH2 concession to Ethakalu Safari Ltd. A sub-lease agreement was subsequently signed with Ethakalu Safari Ltd for the 2026 hunting season, which ends on October 31, 2026.
“The CH2 concession, comprising 72 animals, was sold for P7,400,000.00. The CH1 concession continues to be operated by SV Safari under its existing long-term lease arrangement, which expires later this year. The CH1 concession was allocated 93 animals under the 2026 hunting quota, valued at P5,105,083.00,” she said.
During the reporting period, SV Safari harvested eight buffaloes, one baboon, one elephant, one leopard, one kudu, and one ostrich.
Mbusi highlighted that PALEKA’s CH8 head lease with the Chobe Land Board expires in September 2026. PALEKA currently manages Controlled Hunting Areas CH8 and CH12.
She indicated that an application for a lease extension has been submitted and is awaiting consideration. The concession is currently sub-leased to Tlou Safari (Pty) Ltd for hunting operations until September 2026.
The CH12 head lease remains valid until 2031 and is currently sub-leased to Tlou Safari (Pty) Ltd under a Joint Venture Partnership Agreement signed in June 2025.
CH8 was allocated 69 animals, generating P4,278,308.24, while CH12 was allocated 68 animals, generating P4,563,416.45 under the 2026 Hunting Quota.
During the reporting period, Tlou Safari (Pty) Ltd harvested one eland, three elephants, one kudu, and one leopard in the CH8 hunting area, while three buffaloes and two elephants were harvested in CH12.
Regarding the Seboba Community Conservation Trust (SCCT), Mbusi revealed that the trust submitted an application to the Chobe Land Board requesting the allocation of Controlled Hunting Area CH11 for hunting and tourism purposes, and is awaiting feedback.
She highlighted that a Kgotla meeting was also convened to determine whether the Botswana Tourism Organisation should continue its partnership with the Trust under the Muzi Wethu Company, and the community resolved that the partnership should be dissolved.
The Seboba Community Conservation Trust is a single-village Community-Based Organisation representing the Kasane community. The Trust manages a 21.0022-hectare Nature and Recreational Facility in Kasane. The facility supports cultural tourism through cultural performances, guided nature walks, and related tourism activities. However, the Trust remains non-operational pending the renovation of its recreational facility.
